General University Hospital in Prague (VFN)

The General University Hospital in Prague (Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice v Praze, VFN) is the big central hospital of Prague 2, next to Karlovo náměstí. It has been treating patients since 1790 and is the main teaching hospital of the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University. The most important thing to know before you go: VFN is not one building. Its clinics are spread over several streets of the New Town, so always check the exact address of the clinic you need.

At a glance

• Czech name: Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice v Praze (VFN)
• Type: state university hospital for adults and children
• Main address: U Nemocnice 499/2, 128 08 Praha 2
• Switchboard: +420 224 961 111
• Email: info@vfn.cz
• Emergency care: yes, at several addresses depending on the problem
• Maternity unit: yes, the Apolinář maternity hospital
• Office for foreign patients’ payments: yes, building A5
• Nearest metro: Karlovo náměstí (line B); I. P. Pavlova (line C) for the clinics on Ke Karlovu and Apolinářská
• Website: vfn.cz/en (English version, machine-translated)

What the hospital is known for

With about 1,400 beds and some 6,000 staff, VFN is one of the largest hospitals in the country. Its specialised centres include:

• a comprehensive cardiovascular centre
• a comprehensive oncology centre and haemato-oncology
• a stroke centre
• a multiple sclerosis centre
• a centre for hereditary metabolic disorders and other rare diseases
• perinatology, gynaecological oncology, endometriosis care and assisted reproduction at the Apolinář clinic

Where the main clinics are

• Main campus and surgery: U Nemocnice 499/2
• Central admission for internal medicine: U Nemocnice 504/1
• Faculty Polyclinic (outpatient clinics): Karlovo náměstí 32
• Gynaecology and maternity: Apolinářská 18
• Children’s clinic: Ke Karlovu 2
• Urology: Ke Karlovu 6
• Psychiatry: Ke Karlovu 11
• Neurology: Kateřinská 30

Emergency care

VFN has no single emergency department. Two urgent admission points are open 24 hours a day:

• Internal medicine (chest pain, breathing problems, sudden illness): the joint admission for internal patients, called SPIN, at U Nemocnice 504/1, Hall B, tel. +420 224 962 928.
• Surgery and injuries: the First Surgical Clinic, building A8, U Nemocnice 499/2.

Individual specialties run their own out-of-hours services:

• Children: Ke Karlovu 2, building E3a. Weekdays 16:00–7:00, weekends 24 hours.
• Gynaecology and pregnancy: Apolinářská 18. Weekdays from 15:30, weekends 24 hours.
• Eye: building A6. Weekdays 17:00–7:00, weekends 24 hours.
• Ear, nose and throat: building A7. Monday to Friday 15:30–19:00, weekends 12:00–19:00.
• Urology: Ke Karlovu 6. Weekdays 15:45–7:00, weekends 24 hours.
• Neurology: Kateřinská 30. Weekdays 16:00–7:30, weekends 24 hours.

There is no dental emergency service at VFN. In a life-threatening emergency call 155 or 112.

Services for foreigners and English speakers

VFN has no international patients’ clinic. Billing for foreign nationals is handled by the Special Payments Department (Oddělení zvláštních úhrad), whose staff speak English and Russian.

• Where: building A5, 5th floor, U Nemocnice 499/2
• Phone: +420 224 963 058
• Hours: Monday to Thursday 7:00–16:00, Friday 7:00–15:00

The hospital also runs a GP practice with Ukrainian-speaking staff.

Insurance and payment

• EHIC: the hospital accepts only the plastic card, or a photocopy or photo of it. Without it you pay as a self-payer.
• Self-payers: the Special Payments Department collects advances and payments, in cash or by card.
• Czech public insurance: treated in the usual way. For planned specialist care bring a referral from your doctor.

Getting there

• Metro: line B to Karlovo náměstí for the main campus and the Faculty Polyclinic. For the clinics on Ke Karlovu and Apolinářská, line C to I. P. Pavlova is closer.
• By car: parking on the hospital grounds is free for the first 30 minutes, then 50 CZK for each started hour. The surrounding streets are paid residents’ zones.

Good to know

• Buildings on the main campus are marked with a letter and a number (A5, A6, A8). An interactive map is on the hospital’s website.
• Pharmacies are at Karlovo náměstí 32, at the main entrance on U Nemocnice and at Ke Karlovu 6.
• Visits are possible on most days, but each ward sets its own hours.
• There are cafés in several buildings, including building A5 and the Apolinář clinic.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the emergency room at VFN?

It depends on the problem. Internal medicine emergencies go to SPIN at U Nemocnice 504/1, injuries and surgical problems to building A8 at U Nemocnice 499/2. Both are open non-stop.

Is Apolinář part of VFN?

Yes. The maternity hospital U Apolináře is VFN’s Clinic of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology.

Will VFN accept my EHIC on my phone?

The hospital says it accepts the plastic card, a photocopy or a photo of it.

Is there an English-speaking contact?

The Special Payments Department in building A5 speaks English and deals with payment questions for foreigners. For medical questions, ask the clinic directly.

Last checked in November 2026 against the hospital’s official website. Phone numbers, opening hours and prices change, so confirm with the hospital before you go.

More: Hospitals in Prague: the complete guide · Maternity hospitals in Prague